Discover the natural wonders of the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands – a biodiversity hotspot home to protected bird and plant species – through a tour of our education centre.
Tour program
Our program is aligned to the Victorian curriculum, and includes:
- Year 1-2: Our water world
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Description
Discover how water travels through the water cycle and recognise how water is used and can be conserved. Explore the Edithvale wetlands and use observations to identify flora and fauna.
Learning outcomes
- Learn where water comes from and where it goes after we have finished with it
- Understand the constant cycling of water through the environment
- Explore the liquid, solid and gaseous forms water can take and where these can occur
- Explain how water flows through the environment and the formation of wetlands
- Know that water is a resource and describe how it is used at school and in the home
- Understand water is an important and limited resource, and consider ways to use it wisely
Student activities
- Participate in a water cycle demonstration
- Explore a water catchment with a Stormwater Interactive Model
- Work in groups to complete a Water Cycle puzzle
- Explore the wetland and visit the bird hide
- Undertake a bird identification scavenger hunt
Curriculum links
Science: VCSSU041, VCSSU046, VCSSU047, VCSIS050, VCSIS051
Geography: VCGGK066
Group size: 30 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: $120 per group
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes - Year 3-4: Wonderful wetlands
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Description
Discover the importance of water to the Edithvale Seaford Wetlands, and the role of wetlands in filtering water before it enters our bay. Explore how to protect and manage wetlands sustainably.
Learning outcomes
- Learn about the natural and urban water cycles
- Describe the importance of wetland habitats
- Explain why wetlands need to be protected
- Learn about the history of Edithvale and how it has been drained
- Learn how Melbourne Water manages and protects waterways
- Describe what we can do to help protect wetlands
Student activities
- Participate in a water cycle demonstration
- Explore a water catchment with a Stormwater Interactive Model
- Explore the wetland and visit the bird hide
- Undertake a bird identification scavenger hunt
Curriculum links
Science: VCSSU057, VCSSU058, VCSSU062
Geography: VCGGK081, VCGGC072
Group size: 30 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: $120 per group
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes - VCE: Outdoor and Environmental Studies
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Description
Discover the Edithvale and Seaford wetlands and develop learn how humans have understood and interacted with wetland environments. Explore the sustainable use and management of Edithvale and Seaford wetlands.
Learning outcomes
Unit 3 & 4
- Discover the topography and landscape of the wetlands
- Learn about the history of Edithvale and Seaford wetlands, and how people have interacted with this environment overtime
- Explore the competing uses and demands of the wetlands - between human needs and conservation
- Examine the management strategies and the challenges of sustaining the environment into the future - environmental, social and economic
- Learn about acts or conventions related to the management and sustainability of outdoor environments
- Explore the Education Centre and learn about green building design
Unit 1 & 2
- Learn about the environment and landscape of the wetland biomes
- Learn about the history of Edithvale and Seaford wetlands
- Discover how people have interacted with this environment overtime
- Explore the threatened species that inhabit the wetland
Student activities
- Participate in a presentation about the Edithvale and Seaford wetlands
- Identify green building design features of the Education Centre
- Go on a guided tour of the wetlands and make observations on bird life and the environment
- Complete logbook recordings and observations
Group size: 30 students maximum
Pricing: $280 per group
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes - VCE: Environmental Science
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Description
Explore the Edithvale and Seaford wetlands and develop knowledge and understanding of wetland environments. Discover how the wetlands are managed in response to environmental challenges.
Learning outcomes
Units 3 & 4
Discover the biodiversity of the wetlands and how the area has changed over time
- Explore the competing uses and demands of the wetlands, including the different stakeholders and their perspectives of the site
- Examine the management strategies and the challenges of sustaining the biodiversity of the wetlands, including risk assessments
- Learn about the wetlands Ramsar listing and the requirements of managing the site
- Find out about Melbourne Water's role in the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process
Units 1 & 2
- Understand the major functions of wetlands and how it changes
- Describe the importance of wetland habitats
- Learn how Melbourne Water manages and protects waterways
- Explain why wetlands need to be protected
Student activities
- Participate in a presentation about the Edithvale and Seaford wetlands
- Investigate a water catchment with our Stormwater Interactive Model
- Explore the wetland and visit the bird hide to undertake a bird identification activity
Group size: 30 students maximum
Pricing: $280 per group
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes - Community: Explore the wetlands
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Description
Explore the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands and develop knowledge and understanding of wetland environments. Discover how the wetlands are managed in response to environmental challenges.
Visitors will
- Discover the biodiversity of the wetlands and how the area has changed over time
- Learn about the wetlands Ramsar listing and the requirements of managing the site
- Find out how Melbourne Water manages and protects waterways
Visitor activities
- Explore the wetland and visit the bird hide and undertake a bird identification activity
- Participate in a presentation about the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands
- Explore the Education Centre and learn about green building design
Group size: 35 visitors maximum
Pricing: Price on application
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Prepare for your visit
Booked your tour of the education centre? Make sure to read the following information and complete our venue and safety form before you arrive.
- Safety
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We are committed to the safety of all visitors to our sites. We ask that you strictly follow these safety rules at all times:
- follow the instructions of centre staff
- do not climb on or over railings
- do not run
- switch off mobile phones during sessions
- take care when operating interactive displays
- if visiting outdoor areas of the site, wear:
- closed-toe, flat-soled shoes
- a long sleeved top
- long pants/trousers
- clothing suitable for weather conditions.
Student supervision and discipline is the school’s responsibility. Teachers and adults accompanying school groups should actively supervise students at all times.
We reserve the right to cancel a booked activity and ask individuals or groups to leave the site immediately if any action or behaviour is unsafe.
- Venue and safety form
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Download and return a signed copy of the relevant form when you arrive for your tour:
- Child safe standards
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We’re committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and providing a child-safe environment in line with our Child Safe Policy (52.21 KB, DOCX). All our Education Officers and Interpretation Officers have the relevant legal requirements (Working With Children Check or Victorian Institute of Teaching registration).
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- What to bring
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It is important that students bring the following items when they visit the centre:
- plenty of drinking water, as there is none available on site
- rubbish-free packed snack or lunch, as there are no bins in the centre
- a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen for warm days
- plenty of warm layers for cool days
- notepad, pens and pencils for taking notes and drawings.
- How to get there
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The centre is located at 278 Edithvale Road, Chelsea Heights, VIC.
View our location on Google maps.By car or bus
Aerial view of the centre (bottom left) on Edithvale Road. Via Eastlink: Take the Greens Road exit then turn left at Springvale Road. Drive past Wells Road and through the first roundabout. The education centre is 100 metres down the road on the left.
Via Nepean Highway: Turn left into Edithvale Road when you reach Edithvale. Drive through the wetlands until you see the education centre on your right. Continue driving further, u-turn at the roundabout and enter the car park, 100 metres on your left.
By train
Catch the Frankston line train to Edithvale Station. Walk east down Edithvale Road and you will reach the wetlands. The education centre is located on your right at the east end of the wetlands. Walking time is approximately 15 to 20 minutes. There is also a bus that travels along Edithvale Road.
Parking
Parking is available for two buses at a drop-off zone in front of the centre along Edithvale Road, 100 metres from the roundabout and just after the entrance to the car park. Limited parking is available in the car park in front of the centre.
- Nearby attractions
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There are many interesting walking and cycling paths in parks and reserves close to the wetlands. Why not combine your visit to the education centre with another excursion?
- Braeside Park
- Seaford Foreshore Reserve walking trail
- Nature reserves in the Frankston area, including Kananook walking trail.